Ex-Mayor of Los Angeles will be the next US Ambassador to India
Los Angeles, March 16, 2023
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh Eric Garcetti will be the next US Ambassador to India after the Senate confirmed his nomination by 52-42 votes. · Last week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 13-8 in favour of his nomination after Capping a Two-Year Fight Despite concerns among some Democrats about claims that the former Los Angeles mayor condoned sexual harassment by an aide, several Republicans supported him, saving his confirmation from collapse. It is ending a two-year saga that left a top diplomatic post vacant amid allegations that he mishandled workplace misconduct and sexual harassment.
Victory for President Biden:
- It was a victory for President Biden, who stuck by his political ally in the face of the allegations and the prolonged process that has left the United States without a permanent envoy in one of the world’s most democratic country
Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, said:
- The United States-India relationship is extremely important after a test vote earlier on Wednesday.
- It’s a very good thing we now have an ambassador
Mr. Garcetti said:
- He never considered withdrawing his name from contention and that Mr. Biden had encouraged him to stay the course, despite the delays.
- I had check-ins with the president, and he was 100 percent behind me
- They said, ‘We believe in you and we want you here.
- They said, ‘It’s going to take some hard work, but we think you should serve.
Mr. Biden’s team underscored his qualifications and the fact he had twice been approved in committee votes on a bipartisan basis, according to White House officials. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle asked the White House about the accusations facing Mr. Garcetti. The White House made Mr. Garcetti available to some members for one-on-one conversations. On Capitol Hill, Senator Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey, served as one of Mr. Garcetti’s main allies securing votes on his behalf.
On Wednesday, seven Republicans joined most Democrats in supporting him, while three Democrats — Senators Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii, Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Mark Kelly of Arizona — broke with the party to oppose him. The backing of the Republicans — Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, Steve Daines of Montana, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Mr. Hagerty and Mr. Young — was enough for the nomination to advance.
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